The Australian Museum (established 1827) houses the nation's most important animal, mineral, fossil and anthropological collections, and prides itself on its innovative research into Australia's environment and indigenous cultures. Displays cover the Pacific Islands, Asia, Africa and the Americas, with items ranging from Aboriginal kids' toys to a tattooed chalk head from the Solomon Islands. Any serious museum-tripper should see a few of the local stuffed animals, and the displays should answer all your questions about Australian mammals. If you're at all interested in Aboriginal culture and beliefs, visit the Indigenous Australia section, which tackles such contentious issues as the 'stolen generation', deaths in custody and problems facing indigenous people today.